Ruthmarie Hernández-Torres, Ph.D.

Ruthmarie Hernández-Torres, Ph.D. serves as associate professor in the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Program at Albizu University, San Juan Campus. This faculty member’s academic preparation and research agenda contribute to the Program’s scientist-practitioner training model and culturally responsive approach.

Tobacco treatment in oncology populations; health disparities among Hispanic and Latino patients with cancer; cultural adaptation and implementation of evidence-based interventions; impact of natural disasters on biopsychosocial outcomes; psychometric validation and translational research; community public health; leadership and community integration of children and youth with functional diversity.

• Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2023-2026), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Postdoctoral Training (2021-2023), Clinical and Translational Science and Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center
• Ph.D. (2021), Clinical Psychology, Ponce Health Sciences University
• M.S. (2014), Neuroscience and Cognition, University of Navarra
• M.A. (2014), Early Intervention: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment, Instituto Superior de Estudios Psicológicos
• B.S. (2012), Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico

• Hernández-Torres, R., Gilliland, J., Rosario, L., Bates-Pappas, G., Chichester, L.-A., Costas-Muñíz, R., Kotsen, C., & Ostroff, J. S. (2026). Qualitative analysis of barriers and facilitators to tobacco treatment engagement among Hispanic patients with cancer. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-026-02915-1
• Hernández-Torres, R., Ramos-Santiago, J., Negrón-Vélez, Y., Aristegui, I., Cartujano-Barrera, F., Bermonti Pérez, M. E., Rivera-Segarra, E., & Ramos-Pibernus, A. (2025). Prevalence and associations of current cigarette smoking among Latinx transgender and gender diverse adults living in Puerto Rico and Florida: A secondary data analysis. Tobacco Use Insights, 18. https://doi.org/10.1177/1179173X251399535
• Hernández-Torres, R., Castro-Figueroa, E. M., Armaiz-Pena, G. N., Rodriguez-Castro, Z., Peña-Vargas, C., Rosario, L. P., Sala, A. C., Correa-Fernández, V., Cartujano-Barrera, F., Costas-Muñíz, R., & Ostroff, J. S. (2025). A preliminary evaluation of cigarette smoking and its correlates among cancer survivors in Puerto Rico. Tobacco Use Insights, 18, 1179173X251359972. https://doi.org/10.1177/1179173X251359972
• Hernández-Torres, R., Carminelli-Corretjer, P., Cartujano-Barrera, F., Rivera-Collazo, J., Cupertino, A. P., Cabassa, L. J., & Rivera-Segarra, E. (2025). Smoking, sociodemographic characteristics, and health history among adults with mental illness in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal, 44(2), 76-83.
• Hernández-Torres, R., Rodríguez-Rabassa, M., Rosario, L. P., Peña-Vargas, C., Rodríguez-Castro, Z., Flores, I., et al. (2024). Investigation of psychometric properties and correlation with psychological distress after hurricane hazards in Puerto Rico. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(10), 1267. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21101267